Cannabis-related ER visits in kids and teens are rising, from accidental toddler ingestions to chronic hyperemesis
A review found growing pediatric ER visits for cannabis spanning accidental ingestions in young children (causing hyperkinesis or coma), acute intoxication and injuries in teens, and chronic conditions like hyperemesis and psychosis.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Cannabis-related pediatric ED visits are rising with changing legislation. Presentations range from GI, psychiatric, and cardiorespiratory effects to trauma from impaired psychomotor function. Young children may present with hyperkinesis or coma from accidental ingestion. Chronic complications include cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, depression, psychosis, and cognitive impairment.
Key Numbers
ED presentations span gastrointestinal, psychiatric, cardiorespiratory, and trauma categories. Young children: hyperkinesis and coma. Teens: acute intoxication, hyperemesis, depression, injuries. Cannabis-related pediatric ED visits increasing.
How They Did This
Review of current literature on the spectrum of cannabis-related emergency department presentations in pediatric populations.
Why This Research Matters
As cannabis becomes more available, emergency clinicians need to recognize the full spectrum of cannabis presentations in children and adolescents, from acute ingestion to chronic use complications.
The Bigger Picture
The pediatric cannabis presentation spectrum is wider than many clinicians realize, ranging from toddler ingestions mimicking other toxic exposures to chronic conditions in teens that may not be immediately attributed to cannabis use.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Review without meta-analytic pooling. Exact incidence rates are difficult to determine. Clinical presentation overlap with other conditions may lead to under-recognition.
Questions This Raises
- ?What screening protocols would improve cannabis detection in pediatric ED?
- ?How should cardiorespiratory presentations be managed?
- ?Will continued legalization further increase pediatric presentations?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Rising pediatric ER visits
- Evidence Grade:
- Rated moderate because the review synthesizes growing literature on a clinically important trend.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2019.
- Original Title:
- Cannabis-related emergencies in children and teens.
- Published In:
- Current opinion in pediatrics, 31(3), 291-296 (2019)
- Authors:
- Chen, Yih-Chieh, Klig, Jean E
- Database ID:
- RTHC-01981
Evidence Hierarchy
Summarizes existing research on a topic.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
What happens when young children accidentally eat cannabis?
Presentations range from hyperkinesis (excessive movement) to coma. Cardiorespiratory effects are also possible. These differ from typical adult cannabis intoxication.
What chronic cannabis problems bring teens to the ER?
Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (severe vomiting), depression, psychosis, cognitive impairment, and injuries from impaired psychomotor function.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-01981APA
Chen, Yih-Chieh; Klig, Jean E. (2019). Cannabis-related emergencies in children and teens.. Current opinion in pediatrics, 31(3), 291-296. https://doi.org/10.1097/MOP.0000000000000752
MLA
Chen, Yih-Chieh, et al. "Cannabis-related emergencies in children and teens.." Current opinion in pediatrics, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1097/MOP.0000000000000752
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabis-related emergencies in children and teens." RTHC-01981. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/chen-2019-cannabisrelated-emergencies-in-children
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.